Morocco: Militant cell recruiting IS fighters is dismantled

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco's Interior Ministry has announced the dismantling of a cell that recruited young Moroccans to fight with the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

The statement Wednesday credited the new Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation for discovering the cell based in the northern city of Fez. No details were given on the number of people arrested.

Last week the bureau announced the dismantling of a network spread over several cities that planned assassinations against top civilian and military figures.

Morocco doesn't suffer from strong, organized extremist groups like its neighbors but frequently reports dismantling networks recruiting volunteers to fight in Syria and Iraq. The Interior Ministry says 1,384 Moroccans have gone abroad to join extremist groups, one of the highest totals in the region.